October 31, 2005


CONTACT: Patricia Kimerer, Marketing & Public Relations
PHONE: 330-884-4761

HOWLAND Forum Health Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital welcomes anyone who is suffering from Fibromyalgia and/or Chronic Fatigue to attend their next support group meeting on Friday, November 4th at 4:00 p.m. in Boardroom A.

The support group is formally called “Exceptional Persons with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group.” It is free and open to the public and is organized by facilitator Carol Avery, RD, LD, Operations Manager of Nutrition Services for the Trumbull Campus of Forum Health and chairperson Karen Wagner, who works in Nutrition Services at Hillside.

Avery described Fibromyalgia syndrome as a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which a cause is still unknown. Fibromyalgia can cause pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, or the soft fibrous tissues of the body and symptoms may include, pain, fatigue, sleep disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic headaches, jaw and face pain and various other symptoms.

“Because of the substantial symptom overlap between Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), the group encompasses support for both,” she explained.

The support group meets on the first Friday of each month and anyone who is affected by FMS or CFS, including sufferers, caregivers and family and friends of both, is encouraged to attend.

For more information, contact Carol Avery at 330-841-9885.

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